Tensions simmered as the chairman of the ACT Government's health assessment commitee, Professor Anthony Capon, repeatedly asked residents to keep their questions within the scope of the study.

Residents were told the assessment would include a study of the direct consequences of the project, such as air and noise pollution, as well as indirect consequences such as property prices.

A consortium, including ActewAGL, proposes to build the $1billion Canberra Technology City in Tuggeranong.

ActewAGL's manager of commercial development, Brooke O'Mahoney, said the company continued to believe the project would ''bring some real benefits to Canberra''.

''If the development doesn't meet strict environmental standards it won't go ahead,'' he said

Mr O'Mahoney said he went to the meeting at the invitation of ACT Health and that ActewAGL would participate in the assessment as requested.

The independent committee sought to convince residents of its impartiality, with Mr Capon saying it was ''very clear the ACT Government had lost the trust of the community''.

The committee includes public health expert Professor Capon, community advocate Anne Cahill Lambert, Monash University professor Helen Keleher and the ACT's chief health officer, Dr Charles Guest.

The committee does not have the authority to stop the development, but can recommend changes.

Dr Guest told the forum the proponents would be invoiced for the heath impact assessment.

Community advocate Anne Cahill Lambert is suffering from a life-threatening lung disease called fibrosis alveolitis. She is waiting for a lung transplant and is permanently hooked up to oxygen.

''I'm here to make sure the community's concerns are heard,'' she said.

Mr Capon said he was pleased with how the meeting progressed.

''We are getting a clearer view of the community's concerns and look forward to continuing that dialogue,'' he said.

A group opposed to the development has said it would not accept the recommendations of the assessment.

A spokesman for Canberrans for Powerstation Relocation, Rhodahn Gibbon, said the group was willing to work with the panel but still wanted an environmental impact statement.

''We are worried the [heath impact assessment] has no statutory authority.

''The Government does not have to take on board the recommendations,'' he said.

The independent panel's final recommendations to Health Minister Katy Gallagher are due by August 15.